Trader Joe’s Whole Grain Drink

Have you noticed that Trader Joe’s is providing more and more gluten-free foods for us to enjoy?

For that matter, have you noticed that every grocery store suddenly seems flooded with more and more gluten-free goods? We seemed to have reached a tipping point, people. We’re here to stay.

Of course, as more companies jump on the gluten-free bandwagon, trying to make money from the obvious demand, the quality of those foods varies widely. I’ve tried some truly awful gluten-free foods in the last few years. The last few months have brought some mouthfuls that I couldn’t swallow. Seriously, there’s some bad stuff out there.

This, however, is fantastic.

Before my celiac diagnosis, I would not have thought anything called Whole Grain Drink would be any good. Now, however, I’ve not only come to love whole grains but also appreciate the power they have. We eat quinoa or millet or teff or brown rice every day. I baked with flax seed meal and amaranth flour and oats frequently. The irony is that I ingest more whole grains now than I ever did when I thought I could eat wheat.

This drink is one of the most pleasant ways to get a good dose of whole grains that I’ve ever tried.

It’s not as weird as it sounds. It’s like rice milk, or soy milk, or hemp milk  there’s another thing I thought I would never like  except this time it’s made with brown rice, amaranth, millet, and quinoa.

It tastes faintly of vanilla. It’s thick enough to have a texture, but not so thick that you think you’re drinking sludge. It’s light and somehow quite addictive.

Will it help to know that I enjoyed this so much that I kept taking slugs right from the carton, as I stood in front of the refrigerator? I couldn’t help it.

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29 comments on “Trader Joe’s Whole Grain Drink”

Sounds interesting, I haven't seen this in the Midwest yet. Thanks for the recommendation!

By the way, Trader Joe's might label things as containing "no gluten ingredients," but most of those products state in tiny print that the items are manufactured on shared equipment with wheat. Be careful.

Interesting! I haven't seen this one in Chicago yet, but I'll be on the lookout now! I LOVE TJ's – they've truly embraced the GF community, and the staff at TJ's are always happy to show me to the latest GF products if they see me tossing them into the cart. I love that TJ's not only makes us feel welcome, but invite us back. 😉

OOH! I am headed to Traders Joe's today and will have to pick this up! I usually do Almond Milk but like to have an alternative. I wonder if it is good in baking?! Trader Joe's has some really great GF items at great prices! Thanks for the info Shauna!

I found this a few weeks ago and love it! I have used the sweetened one in my smoothies and on g.f. oatmeal. I just purchased the unsweetened but have not used it yet. I would choose this taste wise over soy or rice drinks.

I got excited when I saw this on the shelf, but I was disappointed with how far down on the list the good grains like quinoa were.. and the nutritional content didn't impress me. It can't be worse than rice milk I use, though, so maybe I should give it a shot, if it's that good.

I have been thrilled with Trader Joes, am always bragging about one thing or another from there. I love their gluten-free choc' cookies (too much). I would have never tried this drink but I trust you completely, so I'll give it a go! You're a treasure.

I love TJ's although some of their meal in a box type things leave something to be desired. Thought you might want to check out this gluten free Pho in a kit. It's delicious and healthy. Happy Pho. They are not at Trader's yet, but maybe one day.

Would love to be able to eat my gluten free oats but just found out I can't do dairy either, so maybe this would be a good replacement! I picked up some rice milk and almond milk today…I've never tried either, in spite of having my son on them for over a year. Thanks for the review! Next time I'm at TJ's I'm going to look for this! (though I'm near CHicago too, so hopefully we'll catch up soon!)

Thanks so much for your site, Shauna! I looked for your book yesterday but our Barnes and NOble was sold out! Going to check borders! 🙂

Hello Shauna, if you happen to be in Australia or Hong Kong, you must try So Natural Rice Milk, it tastes very very good. I brought that in Hong Kong, but I couldn't find any here in San Francisco, wish someone will import this in the future.

I'm not sure if you've heard yet, but PCC has now become the nation's first certified gluten-free grocery store. All of use who work there have had a bit of training and there in a nifty label system that makes life VERY easy. I myself feel like I'm in heaven because we just gluten-free english muffins. They make me love my life.

hello, I'm from France and I have been diagnosed with celiac disease in 1997 and I have been on a gluten free diet since then.Im surprised when you write you can eat millet or oat . Here in France , those grains are forbidden in a gluten free diet …so are they gluten free or not ? THANK YOU for your website, I really enjoy it !

I really enjoy this milk! Though I find the Original makes some of my dinner dishes sweet and I always just grab and forget to get the unsweetened version. Ce la Vie I still love all the dishes I make with this.

Since gluten and lactose allergies typically go hand in hand, I'm really glad you put this up! I often forget that when you have a gluten allergy you can still eat wheat so long as it is unprocessed, so that is a great reminder. (Not to mention I just love Trader Joes!)

I went to Trader Joe’s today to buy this milk. This is our favorite milk and the only milk my children can tolerate. To my surprise they have discontinued this milk. I am SO very upset and am starting a facebook group titled “Bring Back Trader Joe’s Whole Grain Milk”. If you love this milk like we do please join this group and hopefully if they see how much everyone loves this milk they will bring it back by popular demand.

I made a special trip to TJ’s in St.Paul, MN today & also found they discontinued it! They said to go to their website & put in a request to get it back on the shelves. Go to their “soapbox” tab & let ’em know how you feel.

I love your website/blog. Thank you for “being there”. My husband and I only recently joined the ranks of the population needing gluten-free foods. However, we’ve had dairy intolerance/allergies for a long while now. We were using TJ’s Organic Whole Grain Drink because of it’s nice healthy alternative to soy based drinks, then it became essential because of it’s gluten-free aspect. I was definitely at a loss, as so many others, when TJ’s decided to take it off the shelves.
I just posted a request on their website for them to consider how they are handling this product. I get they are all about providing great value and great products. This product wasn’t “carrying it’s weight” and so was pulled. I told them I think they missed the boat in relation to the “service” aspect of their business. This isn’t a “nice to have” product, for many, including my family, it is an essential product for our health and well-being. You don’t just stop offering it! Raise the price to cover its costs for goodness sake. That should be no-brainer! I know I would pay more to have it than to not have it at all.
Please pass along this concept to others you know who care, and if they agree, tell them to submit the same request directly on their website under the “contact” email option. Maybe they’ll get the Win/Win aspect here. With respect, love and gratitude, Kathy Igoe.

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Welcome

Hi. My name is Shauna James Ahern. I am alive.
I have been alive since August of 1966. Or, should
I say, I have been on this earth since then.